According to the Daily Mail, Benedict Cumberbatch and “Fifty Shades of Grey” actress Dakota Johnson were spotted “chatting up a storm in an animated fashion as they strolled through the sunny streets of New York together, apparently deep in conversation.”

“Benedict has a girlfriend,” a source confirmed to�ShowBizSpy�previously. “He’s keeping it very hush-hush. But it’s safe to say he’s smitten!”

“He’s been seeing the lady in question for the past few months. She isn’t in the public eye, and has quite a serious career, so is keen to remain anonymous for as long as possible,” the source said.

But it’s unlikely Benedict Cumberbatch’s new girlfriend is Dakota Johnson. This is because the 24-year-old is dating actor Jordan Masterson. Dakota’s boyfriend even came to visit her on the “Fifty Shades of Grey” set when they were shooting in Vancouver in January! Also, Dakota is very much in the “public eye,” as the source described it, due to her big role as Anastasia Steele in “Fifty Shades.”

Dakota and Benedict both attended the Met Gala on Monday evening, which is probably where they met and quickly got along, explaining their lunch outing in NYC.

Benedict Cumberbatch, 37, has previously lamented about not being lucky in love after breaking up with his ex girlfriend Olivia Poulet, whom he met at university. They split in 2010 after 12 years together. After Poulet, the “Star Trek” actor dated London-based artist Anna James in 2011 but they separated a year later, ShowBizSpy reports.

“It is a wonderful thing to get married young and become a father. I used to think that I’d get married in my mid-30s and have children. But now I think I can wait. I’m no longer in a hurry to get married,” Benedict told Elle Japan last year.

“I would like to first get to know the partner and build a trusting relationship before making the commitment,” he added.